The budget session of the Meghalaya Assembly will commence on March 13 with the customary governor’s address. The session will have 10 working days — seven of government business and three of private members’ business — the Assembly secretariat announced on Monday. Chief minister Conrad K. Sangma will present the budget estimates for 2020-2021 on March 18, while the budget will be passed on March 26. The session is likely to see the Opposition cornering the government on issues related to illegal coal transportation, inter-state border dispute, alleged corruption cases and delay on the part of the Centre to accept the resolution passed by the Assembly to implement inner-line permit in the state.
2 held with pistols
Two persons, Biswajit Neog, 27, and Tapan Saikia, 38, were arrested from their respective houses at Bonai and Robi Gaon under Teok police station in the district in the wee hours on Monday for illegal possession of arms. A 7.65mm pistol was recovered from them. The duo have been booked under Sections 25(1) A and 35 of the Arms Act.
Board ex-chief arrested
The former officiating chairman of Assam Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Guwahati, Gautam Baruah, was arrested by the chief minister’s special vigilance vell on Monday from New Delhi. Baruah, prime accused in a forgery case and misappropriation of board’s funds from 2011 to 2017, was absconding and evading arrest. The cell registered a case against Baruah in 2017, following a complaint by the then labour commissioner-cum-member secretary of the board, Tapan Sarma.
Farewell
The SDO (civil) of Sadiya, Biswajit Phukan, who has been transferred to Jorhat as ADC, was given a farewell by several organisations of Sadiya at Chapakhowa in Tinsukia district on Monday
Exposure tour
The Aruna-chal Pradesh hydro power development department has sent a group of local landowners to Himachal Pradesh on an eight-day exposure tour. The group is scheduled to visit Chamera1, Chamera 2 and Chamera 3 hydro power projects developed in cascades in Himanchal Pradesh.
Mock drill
A team of the 1st Battalion of National Disaster Response Force participated in joint mock exercise on industrial disaster emergency and response at Indian Oil Corporation, Betkuchi, here with State Disaster Response Force, fire services, health services and IOC employees.
Money looted
Two bike-borne robbers looted a bag containing Rs 1 lakh from Rudra Bahadur Chetry of Panbari. Chetry had withdrawn the money from the State Bank of India at Digboi town in Tinsukia district on Monday.
Football
The Guwahati Sports Association’s B and C Division football tournaments for the year 2019-20 will be held here from March 22. Clubs have been asked to file entries latest by March 1.
Factions unite
Three factions of karate organisers in Assam on Monday agreed to unite for players’ convenience.